Clause 56 - Procedure for orders designating National Parks
Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill
9:00 am
Jim Knight (Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Rural Affairs, Landscape and Biodiversity), Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; South Dorset, Labour)
To some extent, I am moving to my notes on clause stand part, Mr. Forth, with your indulgence. The clause makes small modifications to the process of designating national parks, requiring parish councils to be consulted before the Countryside Agency, which will become Natural England, makes an order. It essentially corrects the out-of-date terminology for other tiers of local government.
The amendment removes the requirement to hold a public inquiry rather than a hearing if a parish council objects, although an inquiry would be required if there were objections from other tiers. It removes a redundant provision to enable consideration of designation alongside that of development plans.
I hope that that answers the hon. Gentleman’s question.
Amendment agreed to.
Clause 56, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.